Pekin, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pekin, Tazewell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pekin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 168 days in the Tazewell forecast zone and Tazewell County — the most common reported hazard around Pekin, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and flash flooding (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 168 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Dec 2025 | Dec 1, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 36 | Jun 2026 | Apr 17, 2013 · $31 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2, 2016 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2026 | Jan 13, 2024 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 10 | May 2024 | May 1, 2013 · $22 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2021 | Dec 28, 2015 · $1.2 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Tazewell forecast zone and Tazewell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Pekin get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Pekin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Peoria Gtr Peoria Ap weather station 7.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.5 | 6.2 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Pekin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 33 miles south-southeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Pekin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 33 mi south-southeast | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 88 mi northwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 107 mi northeast | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Pekin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 166 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pekin, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on November 17, 2013, which passed about 5 miles northeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 370 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 2003.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Pekin's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Pekin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pekin, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 33 miles south-southeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pekin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pekin the lowest scan from KILX is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pekin free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Pekin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.